Torre de San José, Tabarca

In the 18th century, the inhabitants of the island built a small fortress, where they hid during the attacks of Barbary pirates. Only the main tower, which was the citadel of the fortress, has survived to this day.

During the war of 1834-1837, the tower was used as a prison for political prisoners. It was here that in 1838, on the orders of Governor Francisco Perez Mecca, 19 prisoners were shot, including three sisters and the mother of Carlist General Ramon Cabrera. In retaliation for this, Cabrera, who was also not distinguished by humanity, ordered the execution of 1,100 soldiers, 100 officers and 4 wives of generals who were held captive by the Carlists.

At the end of the 19th century, the tower was rebuilt and housed a parish school. In the 20th century, a Civil Guard post occupied the tower, engaged in catching smugglers, currently there is a warehouse of the Institute of Coastal Ecology.

The tower was surrounded by a wall, some traces of which can be found among the cactus thickets. In the 19th century, the wall was dismantled, its stones were used to build the church of Peter and Paul. Between the lighthouse and the tower, among the cactus thickets, the remains of another stone building are visible.